In downtown Portland, Friday brings the annual tree-lighting

View full sizeRay Whitehouse/The OregonianThe city of Portland's Christmas tree arrived Nov. 10 at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Stimson Lumber Co. paraded the tree down Southwest Sixth Avenue before delivering it to the square. The tree, a 75-foot Douglas fir, was grown on sustainable lands near Gaston.

Downtown Portland celebrates the arrival of the Christmas season – or the approaching winter solstice, if you prefer – with the 27th annual lighting of the municipal yule log.